Faith County goes to the fair

BONNE TERRE — Faith County will take the North County High School stage tonight and Saturday.

The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students. The play is being directed by instructor Terri Barron and student Drew Wall.

The play, which is set in the 1960s, centers around nine Southerners who go to the county fair.

“It’s a comedy,” Terri Barron said. “It’s just for fun. There’s no hidden theme or meaning. It’s just a parody of Southern life.”

Barron said it’s like “Steel Magnolias” because it is the same kind of humor and girl talk.

An eccentric old lady named Gladys, played by Stephanie Osborn, dies playing the piano during the first act of the play.

Barron said it’s not sad — it’s just a goofy death.

Naomi, the town beautician who is known for her beehive hairdos, marries Luther (Jerrad Martin) on the county fairgrounds. A portable toilet serves as her dressing room.

“Naomi is sort of an airhead,” said Jessica Wells, who portrays the character. “She likes to be the center of attention. She’s a gossipy lady.”

Courtney Barron describes her character, Mildred, as bossy, sarcastic, witty and a know-it-all.

“She was described as Naomi’s best friend but also her worst enemy,” Courtney said.

Heidi Eckl plays Faye, the town flirt who enjoys writing poetry but isn’t very good at it. Faye likes “the guys” and is in love with Delbert the pig farmer (Anders Wibskov) who is not in love with her.

“She doesn’t get things,” Eckl said. “Things just go over her head. She’s very airy.”

Kristin Sopko plays Violet, a pregnant woman who goes into labor during the second act. Sopko wants everyone to know she’s not really pregnant and the belly is fake.

But the pig on stage during the play is not fake. Bacon the Pig was raised just for the play by Andy Bess, who is an extra in the play.

Other characters in play are Kim Minor, who plays Ruthann; and Richie Kelley who plays Bubba the town idiot.